Police bust counterfeit jacket sale

Adrian police, acting on a tip from a clothing manufacturer, shut down a visiting sale Saturday morning and seized several hundred North Face jackets and other items believed to be counterfeit.

Police reported about 40 boxes of items were seized. Also confiscated was a sport utility truck and a trailer used to transport the items to the sale at Adrian VFW Post #1584 on North Main Street.

One man, described by Adrian police as the group’s leader, was booked Saturday at the Lenawee County Jail and remained in custody. Police said three women allegedly involved were cited for misdemeanor offenses. Two juveniles also were detained.

Adrian Police Sgt. Derek Helinski said an investigator hired by North Face had provided the tip several days earlier. He said a group from Indiana had been selling unauthorized items advertised as North Face throughout the Midwest. Sale organizers had placed an advertisement in Friday’s Telegram saying that $180 jackets would be sold for $49, and children’s jackets for $35.

Police arrived at about 10:30 a.m., half an hour before the sale was scheduled to begin.